1999-03-27

I'd like to add my $0.02 worth on this thread, and from
a medical standpoint. As a hand surgeon, specialist in performing arts
medicine and a 50+ year player of bassoon/contra, clarinets and saxophones,
I must agreewith Grant's statement about less agility in playing
on the lower family members. Having measured ranges and arcs of finger
motion of performers on all these instruments, I determined that:

Larger instruments generally require the performer's fingers
to be more widely spaced than the smaller ones; this requires extra muscle
activity to maintain these wider spans.

Depressing most keys on larger instruments requires a larger
range of finger motion than in the smaller (higher) ones.

The keywork neede to operate larger instruments is progressively
more complex and slower to respond to finger pressure.

Lower-voiced instruments have longer tubing and thus take
more time for an initial note to speak. Once this impediment is ovecome,
and the performer's air column continues to force air across the reed (or
flute mouthpiece), there should be little, if any, difference, in the rapidity
of notes from a respiratory standpoint.

All three factors seem to add up to the fact that
playing many notes per second on low instruments, especially if the notes
are not diatonically (scale) related, is more cumbersome, and requires
greater ranges of finger motion and of muscular strength. As such, less
facility is to be expected (compare "Clarinet Polka" as played on B-flat
clarinet and contrabassoon, for example).

Gee, its been a few days. But, here's the latest
bass sax up for auctionat eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=83150991.Starting bid is $3500, and there's apparently a reserve
set somewhat higher.

I've noticed a few old Conn saxophones recently as well,
that appear to behigh-pitch instruments. If I remember right, the
horns with "even number"model designations were low pitch (modern pitch), and
the ones with oddnumbers were high pitch. So 10M and 6M were low
pitch, but 11M and 7M arehigh pitch. Anybody remember for sure?

<< I've noticed a few old Conn saxophones recently
as well, that appear to be high-pitch instruments. If I remember right,
the horns with "even number" model designations were low pitch (modern pitch),
and the ones with odd numbers were high pitch. So 10M and 6M were
low pitch, but 11M and 7M are high pitch. Anybody remember for sure? >>

True with the exception of the reused 11M designation.
Originallythe model for the HP tenor, Conn used the same
to designatetheir short-lived low A baritone sax in the the late
1960's.

I don't know if I used the right words before; but
all I meant to say wasthat anything that your average proffesional could play
on a Bb Soprano;could, with practice be managed on the Bb or Eb Contra's...
I know that Ican play all the standard Bb Clar. Literature on Bb Bass
and almost as muchon the Bb Contra (which is extremely out of regulation)
that I currentlyplay. The statement I meant to make is that the
big clarinets can; if withmore exertion and practice from the player; do everything
that the smallerclarinets can do.My $.04Tristan

Please Read: Hey All, At the moment, I need opinions from different people
to help decide thefate of a composition. I've recently completed
the 1st movement of a verydifficult Sonata for the Contrabass Clarinet; yet it
is very odd, even forme. I'd appreciate opinions from as many contrabass'ers
out there that havethe time to listen to a 3.5 minute midi file and would
like to help decidewether or not I should continue work on this piece or
not. (Honest opinionsplease) Critisicms of a part of the piece or the
piece in it's entirity arewelcome. I am very confident that the style is
different; but I'd like toknow if you think that that is a good or bad difference.
All who areinterested; please e-mail me at emerald1@megsinet.net
and request a midifile. Hopefully the response will be prompt.Thanks for your HelpTristan Carpenter

<< Whether this is true of *everyone* or not, I
still think it is sound advice. >><< you are writing/arranging for an ensemble "in
the abstract"(i.e., not for a specific group with which you're familiar),
I think its areasonably safe (and useful) generalization to say that
the contra is notas agile as the higher horns>>

Why the hell do you do this grant. What I mean by this
is copying what theperson said in the previous note and putting it on one
that is a reply to it.I mean its ok for one or two lines. But you copy the
whole damn message.

Matt (extremely good bari sax player)

End contrabass list---------------------------------------------------------

I assume he dooes to to keep everything organized, as
I do as well. Watch yourlanguage on this listserv please.

Stuart-Sax (Soprano/Alto)-Clarinet (Eb/Bb/Bass/Contralto)

<< Why the hell do you do this grant. What I mean
by this is copying what the person said in the previous note and putting it
on one that is a reply to it. I mean its ok for one or two lines. But you copy
the whole damn message. Matt (extremely good bari sax
player)>>